M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Contents

Message from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction

Why are cities at risk? Natural hazards: an increasing concern for city planners

What drives disaster risk in urban settings?

Factsandfigures

What is a disaster resilient city Achecklist:Tenessentialsformakingcitiesresilient

Urbanriskreductionasanopportunity–whatarethebenefits?

The Making Cities Resilient Campaign Mainobjectivesofthecampaign

Aboutthecampaignpartners

Mayorsandlocalgovernments–thekeystobuildingresilientcities

Whatcanyoudotomakeyourcitymoreresilient?Jointhecampaign!

Howtonominateacityforthecampaign

More information

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Thisinformationkitoutlinesthecharacteristicsofadisasterresilientcityandidentifieswhatconstitutesurbanrisk.ItprovidesimportantfactsandfiguresaboutdisasterriskanddescribestheMakingCitiesResilientCampaign2010-2011.Itinformsmayors,localgovernmentsandotherlocalactorsaboutwhattheycandonowtomaketheircitiessaferfromdisastersandhowtogetinvolvedinthecampaign.

Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

“I urge local authorities to accelerate all efforts to make cities safer to prevent the loss of lives and assets.

Ihavebeentravellingtomanyplacesaroundtheworld,witnessingformyselfhowlocalgovernmentscancontributeto[..]globalchallenges.Itisnotonlythenationalgovernments.ItisnotonlythePresidentorPrimeMinisterorGovernmentMinisterswhocanaddressclimatechange,sustainableeconomicdevelopment,povertyanddisease.Weneedsupportandparticipationoflocalleaders:mayors,governors,countychiefs.”

Message from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moonIncheon, 11 August 2009

Morethanhalfoftheworld’spopulationnowlivesincitiesorurbancentres.Urbansettlementsarethelifelinesofsociety.Theyserveasnations’economicengines,theyarecentresoftechnologyandinnovationandtheyarelivingevidenceofourculturalheritage.Butcitiescanalsobecomegeneratorsofnewrisks:failedinfrastructureandservices,environmentalurbandegradation,increasinginformalsettlementsandalmostabillionslumdwellersaroundtheworld.Thismakesmanyurbancitizensmorevulnerabletonaturalhazards.

TheUnitedNationsInternationalStrategyforDisasterReductionisworkingwithitspartnerstoraiseawarenessandcommitmentforsustainabledevelopmentpracticesthatwillreducedisasterriskandincreasethewellbeingandsafetyofcitizens-toinvesttodayforabettertomorrow.Buildingonpreviouscampaignsfocusingoneducationandthesafetyofschoolsandhospitals,ISDRpartnersarelaunchinganewcampaignin2010:MakingCitiesResilient.ThecampaignwillseektoconvincecityleadersandlocalgovernmentstocommittoachecklistofTenEssentialsforMakingCitiesResilientandtoworkalongsidelocalactivists,grassrootsnetworksandnationalauthorities.

UNISDRanditspartnershavedevelopedthischecklistasastartingpointforallthosewhowanttojoininthecampaign.EquallyimportantisthatcommitmenttotheseTenEssentialswillempowerlocalgovernmentsandotheragenciestoimplementtheHyogoFrameworkforAction2005-2015:BuildingtheResilienceofNationsandCommunitiestoDisasters,adoptedby168governmentsin2005.Goodurbanandlocalgovernanceisthekeytothisresilience!

Urbanriskreductiondeliversmanybenefits.Whensuccessfullyappliedaspartofsustainableurbanization,resilientcitieshelpreducepoverty,provideforgrowthandemployment,anddelivergreatersocialequity,freshbusinessopportunities,morebalancedecosystems,betterhealthandimprovededucation.

IcallonmayorsandlocalgovernmentstojoinintheMakingCitiesResilientCampagn2010-2011:MyCityisGettingReadyCampaignandtoconsiderhowtheycanimplementasmanyoftheTenEssentialsforMakingCitiesResilientaspossible.Theyaretheclosestinstitutionalleveltocitizensandareelectedleaders,expectedtorespondtotheneedsandsafetyoftheirconstituencies.Theirparticipationandleadershiparevital.Ialsocalloncivilsociety,plannersandurbanprofessionalsfromdifferentsectors,nationalauthoritiesandcommunitygroupstohelpdevelopinnovativesolutionsandtoengagewiththelocalgovernmentstoreduceriskandtoencouragegoodgovernancebyworkingtogether.

ThesuccessofthecampaignwillbemeasuredbyhowmanymayorsandlocalgovernmentsjoinandcommitasChampions,ResilientCityRoleModelsandParticipants;howmanylastingpartnershipsandlocalalliancesamongcitizengroupsandgrassrootsorganizations,academiaandprivatesectordevelop;howmanycitiesintroducenewplansorchangestoreducerisk.

Thetragic2010earthquakedisasterinHaiti’scapitalPort-au-Princeandothercitieswasawakeupcall,followedbytheearthquakeandtsunamiinChile.Inactionisnotananswer.

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RaisingawarenessactivitiesinthePhilippines.

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Rapid urbanizationhasbroughtprosperityandopportunitytomanypeople.Thisisthecasewherecitiesarewellplannedandwellgoverned,keepingupwithneededexpansionininfrastructureandservices.Therearemanyrapidlygrowingcitieswherevulnerabilityhasbeenreducedorcontrolledbygoodgovernance.Oneofthese,forexample,isCuritibainBrazil:acitywhichhasgrownfromapopulationofaround150,000in1950to2.5milliontoday.Ithasinnovativeenvironmentalpolicies–includingfloodprotection–andahigh-qualitylivingenvironment.AsecondBraziliancity,PortoAlegre,hasgrownsevenfoldsince1950,andnowhas3.5millioncitizens,withstronggrassrootsorganisationsandtherighttoinfluencepublicinvestmentpriorities.Thisdeliberatepolicyofcitizenparticipationinlocalgovernmenthaspaidoff,leavingthepeopleofPortoAlegrewithcomparableenvironmentalindicatorsandmuchthesamelifeexpectancyascity-dwellersinWesternEuropeorNorthAmerica1.

Butthesearetheexceptions,thesuccessstories.Thebigpictureismorealarming.Whencombinedwiththeimpactofextremeclimateeventsandincreasedpoverty–asmanyasabillionpeoplenowliveinurbanslumsandinextremepoverty-theincreasedcrowdingofcitieshasalsocreatednewstresses.Moreandmorepeoplearesettlinginpotentialdangerzonessuchasonunstablehills,volcanicflanksorearthquakefaults,floodplainsandcoastalareas.Theydosobecauseplannersandlocal

governmentsfailtoprovidealternatives,becausetheycannotaffordsaferland,orbecausetheyneedtobeclosertotheirsourcesofincome.

Natural hazards shouldbeofmajorconcerntourbanplannersandmanagers.Theimpactsoftheseeventsareincreasinglycostlyintermsoflostlivesandproperty.

Inthefirstdecadeofthe21stcentury(2000-2009),earthquakesaccountedfornearly60percentofthepeoplekilledbydisasters,accordingtotheCentreforResearchonEpidemiologyofDisasters(CRED).Climaterelateddisasterssuchasflooding,flashfloods,tropicalcyclones,drought,wildfiresandheatwavesnowaffectmorepeopleworldwide.Climatechangeisacceleratingandthemeltingofglaciershassevereconsequences,amongthemglaciallakeoutburstsandflashfloods.Sealevelrisewillputhundredsofcitiesinlow-elevationcoastalzones,andlow-lyingsmallislands,atriskofdisaster,accordingtotheInter-governmentalPanelonClimateChange.

UN-HABITATestimatesthereare3,351citieslo-catedinlow-elevationcoastalzonesaroundtheworld.Ofthetop30cities,19areinriverdeltas.Thetopten,intermsofpopulationexposedtocoastalfloodhazard,areMumbai,Guangzhou,Shanghai,Miami,HoChiMinhCity,Kolkata,GreaterNewYork,Osaka-Kobe,AlexandriaandNewOrleans.

An overview of natural hazards and urban concernsNatural hazardsaffectcitiesindifferentwaysbutthereispotentialfordisasterascityauthoritiesstruggletomanageovercrowding,rapidurbanization,andenvironmentaldegradation.

EarthquakeUrban concerns:Manydenselybuiltandpopulatedcitieslieonearthquakebelts.Non-engineeredandpoorly-builtorbadly-maintainedbuildingscannotwithstandtheforceofseismicshocks,andaremorelikelytocollapse.Mostearthquakedeathsareduetobuildingcollapses.

LandslideUrban concerns: Agrowingnumberofbadlybuiltormakeshifthomesthathavesprunguponorbelowsteepslopes,oncliffsoratrivermouthsinmountainvalleys,combinedwithpoordrainageorslopeprotection,meansthatmorepeopleareexposedtocatastrophiclandslides,triggeredbyrainfallsaturationorseismicactivity.

Volcanic EruptionUrban concerns:Settlementsonvolcanoflanksorinhistoricpathsofmud/lavaflowsputmillionsofpeopleatrisk.Adequateearlywarningsystemsandconstructionstowithstandashandlaharflowsareconcernsforurbanandruralareasnearvolcanoes.

TsunamiUrban concerns:Manycitieshavebeenbuiltalongtsunami-pronecoasts.Adequateconstruction,earlywarningsystemsandevacuationplansareprimarymeasurestoaddressthese.

Tropical CycloneUrban concerns:Manyurbanareasareexposedtocyclones,strongwindsandheavyrain.Windresistantconstructions,earlywarningsystemswithadviceforhouseholdstolockupwindowsandsecurepropertyand,ifnecessary,evacuateareprimarymeasures(seealsoflood).

Flood Urban concerns: Flashfloodsareagrowingurbanhazardbecauseconcreteandcompactedearthwillnotabsorbwater,becauseopenspaceshavebeencolonised,becauseengineeringworkshavedivertedriverflows,becausecitydrainagesystemsareinadequate.Housingonriverbanksorneardeltas,maybebadlybuiltordangerouslysited.

FireUrban concerns:Urbanfiresstemfromindustrialexplosionsorearthquakes.Accidentalfiresareserious,especiallyininformalsettlements.Firerisksareincreasingduetohighdensitybuilding,newconstructionmaterials,morehigh-risebuildings,andgreateruseofenergyinconcentratedareas.Uncontrolledwildfirescanreachurbanareas.

DroughtUrban concerns: Droughtisanincreasingslowonsetdisasterthattriggersmigrationtourbanareas,puttingpressureonhousing,employment,basicservicesandthefoodsupplyfromsurroundingcountryside.ManyslumsinAfricaarefilledwithruralfamiliesdrivenfromtheirvillagesbyprolongeddroughtorconflict.

1 Menegat,Rualdo(2002),“EnvironmentalmanagementinPortoAlegre”,Environment and Urbanization,Vol.14,No.2,October,p181–206.

2 Chafe,Z.(2007)“Reducingnaturaldisasterriskincities”,in2007 State of the World: Our Urban Future,WorldWatchInstitute,

Washington,D.C.

Why Are Cities at Risk?Natural hazards: an increasing concern for city planners

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Lack of available land for low-income citizens

Mostoftheurbanpooraremoreexposedtohazardsanddisastersbecausetheyliveininformalsettlementsonunsafesiteswherebasicservicesareoftenlacking.Currently,oneinfourhouseholdslivesinpovertyinthedevelopingworld,40%beinginAfricancities.Inthedevelopingworld,25to50%ofthepeopleliveininformalsettlementsorslumsinandaroundurbancentres,andthesethisnumberisaregrowingby25millionpeopleperyear6.

Inappropriate construction

Inappropriateconstructionputsmillionsneedlesslyindanger.Manydieorareseriouslyinjuredwhenbuildingscollapseafterearthquakes,landslides,severestorms,flashfloodsandtsunamis.Upto80%ofdeathsfromnaturaldisastersoccurinbuildingsthatcollapseduringearthquakes,accordingtoavailablestatistics.

Buildingcodesandregulationssetminimumstandardsforsafety,includingforfireprotectionandresistancetonaturalhazardsinmanycountries.Buildingpracticesandtheenforcementoftheregulationsareessentialandareoftenthemissinglink.Cuttingofcosts,lackofincentiveordistortingincentives,coupledwithcorruption,arethemainreasonswhyevenwell-designedbuildingsmaycollapse.Informalsettlementsandillegalornon-engineeredconstructionsshelterthegreaterpartofcitydwellersindevelopingcountries.Eveniftheyhavemoney,peoplewithnopropertyrightsorinsecuretenurewillnotinvestinsafestructuresorimprovements.

Upgradingcriticalinfrastructureandpublicbuildingswouldbeaminimumrequirementforsustainableurbanizationsandresilience.Safeschoolsandhospitalswouldprovidenecessaryshelterandservices.Stormdrainagewouldreducefloodsandlandslides-andatlowcost.

Concentration of economic assets

Economicgrowthhasbeenfastestincoastalregionsandnearlargenavigablerivers,atriskfromflooding,sealevelriseandextremeweathereventswhichcouldbecomemorefrequentandintenseduetoclimatechange.Economicassetstendtobeclusteredinlargecities.Disasterstherecanhavedevastatingeffectsonthelocalandnationaleconomy,aswellasinlostlivesandsevereinjuries,suchasduringtheGreatHanshinAwajiearthquakethatdestroyedtheportandmuchofthecityofKobeinJapan,in1995.KobeCityhasrecoveredcompletelyandhassinceputinplaceacomprehensiveandinnovativesetofpoliciesandactionstodealwithdisasterrisk.

Ecosystems decline

Ecosystemsprovidesubstantialbenefitsandservicestocitiesandlocalgovernments.Yetasaresultofunplannedurbandevelopmentandeconomicgrowth,manyecosystemshavebeensignificantlyalteredandexploited,leadingtoadangerousimbalance.Squatterencroachmentonwaterwaysandashortageofappropriatedrainagesystemshaveexposedmanyurbanareastoflashfloods.Deforestationhasledtohillsideerosion,makingpeoplevulnerabletolandslidestriggeredbyheavyrains,andtheuseofconcretehaschangedthecapacityofsoiltoabsorbflashfloods.60%ofecosystemservicesareindeclinewhileconsumptionisincreasingatarateofmorethan80%7.Fewerthanhalfofthecitiesintheworldhaveurbanenvironmentplans8.

Rising urban populations and increased density

Today,morethan3billionpeople-halftheworld’spopulation-liveinurbanareas.Peoplearemovingtocitiesingreaternumbersthanatanytimeinhistory,pulledbyhopeofbetteropportunitiesorpushedfromruralareasbypoverty,environmentaldegradation,conflicts,floodsordrought.Naturalincreaseisalsoalargecontributortourbanpopulationgrowthanddensity.Highpopulationdensityisasignificantriskdriverwherethequalityofhousing,infrastructureandservicesispoor.

Itneednotbeso.ManyhighdensityresidentialareasinEurope,JapanandNorthAmericaareindeedsafe,andprotectcitizensfromstormsandquakes.Thisisnotthecaseofanincreasingnumberofinformalsettlements.Bythemiddleofthe21stcentury,thetotalurbanpopulationofthedevelopingworldisexpectedtomorethandoubleinnumber,increasingfrom2.3billionin20053to5.3billionin2050.Nearlythreequartersoftheurbanpopulationandmostofthelargestcitiesarenowinlow-andmiddle-incomenations:asevenfoldincreasesincethe1950s4.

Weak urban governance

Howthislargeandrapidlygrowingurbanpopulationisservedandgovernedhavemajorimplicationsfordevelopment,andforreducingdisasterrisk.Inhigh-incomenations,acomprehensivewebofinfrastructureandinstitutionshelpreducerisksfromdisastersanddisasterimpacts.Urbanpopulationstheretakeforgrantedthattheyhaveinstitutions,infrastructure,servicesandregulationsthatprotectthemfromdisasters–includingextremeweather,floods,firesandtechnologicalaccidents.Theseinstitutionsalsosupplyeverydayneeds:healthcareservicesintegratedwithemergencyservicesandseweranddrainagesystemsthatservedailyrequirementsbutalsocancopewith

storms.Butonlyaverysmallproportionofurbancentresinlow-andmiddle-incomenationshaveacomparablewebofinstitutions,infrastructure,servicesandregulations.Incasesofpoorurbangovernance,localauthoritiesareunabletoprovideinfrastructure,servicesorsafelandforhousing.Aweakandpoorly-resourcedlocalgovernmentthatlacksinvestmentcapacityandcompetencethatisnotengagedinparticipatoryandstrategicurbanandspatialplanningonbehalfoflow-incomecitizensininformalsettlements,willnotembracethechallengeofresilience,andwillincreasethevulnerabilityofmuchoftheurbanpopulation.CitiessuchasMumbaiandBangalorehaveahighproportionofpeoplelivinginslumsorinformalsettlementswithoutbasicservices.Butthesecitiescertainlyhaveenoughprosperitytoaddresssuchissuesthankstothecentralgovernmentwhichhasallocatedaverylargecapitalsumtosupportcitygovernments.

Unplanned urban development Challengesposedbytherapidgrowthofmanycitiesandthedeclineofothers,theexpansionoftheinformalsectorandtheroleofcitiesinbothcausingandmitigatingclimatechange,allrequirestrongurbanplanningsystems.ManycitiesinLatinAmerica,AfricaandAsiahavedoubledtheirsizeinlessthan30years.UN-HABITATprojectedthatby2015,12ofthe15largestcitiesworldwidewillbeindevelopingcountries.Muchoftheurbanexpansiontakesplaceoutsidetheofficialandlegalframeworksofbuildingcodes,landuseregulationsandlandtransactions.Existingplanninginstrumentsareoftenunrealistic.Sustainableurbanizationrequirescomprehensivestepstomanageriskandemergencyplans;andtoenforceurbanplanningregulationsandbuildingcodesonthebasisofrealisticstandards,withoutexcludingthepoor.

What drives disaster risk in urban settings?

3 UN-HABITAT(2009),Planning Sustainable Cities: Global Report on Human Settlements 2009,Earthscan,LondonandSterling,VA.

4 Satterthwaite,David(2007),The Transition to a Predominantly Urban World and its Underpinnings,HumanSettlements.

6 InternationalStrategyforDisasterReduction(ISDR)(2009),Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction,UnitedNations,Geneva.

7 MillenniumEcosystemAssessment(2005),Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Current State and Trends: Findings of the

Condition and Trends Working Group.IslandPress,WashingtonD.C.

8 Alber,GotelindandJollands,Nigel(2009),“Cities,theirenergyuse,andwashinglines”,Urban World,Volume1Issue4,pp.8-10.

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“Through the campaign towards

safer cities and urban risk reduction,

we can save lives, achieve gains towards

the Millennium Development Goals, help protect natural resources, the urban

heritage and the economic activities…”

Rishi Raj Lumsali,

Chairperson of the Association of

District Development Committee of Nepal

Drought-February–August1991

China -Jiangxi,Hunanprovinces

Deaths: 2,000

No. of A

ffected People: 5,000,000Estim

ated Economic

Dam

age in US$ m

illion: N.A

.Wildfire-February2009

Australia-V ictoria/N

ewSouthW

alesD

eaths: 240N

o. of Affected People: 32,070

Dam

age in US$ m

illion: 8,000

Heatw

ave-August2003France -ParisD

eaths: 19,490N

o. of Affected People: N

.A.

Estimated Econom

ic D

amage in U

S$ million: 4,400

Tropicalcyclone-October1998

Honduras

TegucigalpaandcoastalareaD

eaths: 14,600N

o. of Affected People: 2,112,000

Estimated Econom

ic D

amage in U

S$ million: 3,793.6

Volcaniceruption-June1997M

ontserrat-Plymouth

Deaths: 232

No. of A

ffected People: 4,000Estim

ated Economic

Dam

age in US$ m

illion: 8

Flood/flashflood-Decem

ber1999Venezuela -FederaldistrictCaracasD

eaths: 19,000N

o. of Affected People: 483,635

Estimated Econom

ic D

amage in U

S$ million: 3,160

Tsunami-D

ecember2004

Indonesia -BandaAcehD

eaths: 16,5708N

o. of Affected People: 532,898

Estimated Econom

ic D

amage in U

S$ million: 4,451.6

Earthquake-January1995Japan-Kobe-O

sakaregionD

eaths: 5,297N

o. of Affected People: 541,636

Estimated Econom

ic D

amage in U

S$ million: 100,000

Landslide-September1995

India - Kulla (Him

achalPradesh)D

eaths: 400Estim

ated Economic

Dam

age in US$ m

illion: 1,100,000N

o. of Affected People: N

.A.

Ten most populous cities and associated disaster risk

City Population(million)

Disaster risk

Earthquake Volcano Storms Tornado Flood Sturmsurge

Tokyo 35.2 x x x x x

MexicoCity 19.4 x x x

NewYork 18.7 x x x

SãoPaulo 18.3 x x

Mumbai 18.2 x x x x

Delhi 15.0 x x x

Shanghai 14.5 x x x x

Kolkata 14.3 x x x x x

Jakarta 13.2 x x

BuenosAires 12.6 x x x

Global trends in urbanization

RegionUrban population Percentage urban

1950 1975 2007 2025 2050 1950 1975 2007 2025 2050

World 737 1518 3294 4584 6398 29.1 37.3 49.4 57.2 69.6

Moredevelopedregion 427 702 916 99 1071 52.5 67.0 74.4 79.0 86.0

Lessdevelopedregion 310 817 2382 3590 5327 18.0 27.0 43.8 53.2 67.0

Africa 32 107 373 658 1233 14.5 25.7 38.7 47.2 61.8

Asia 237 574 1645 2440 3486 16.8 24.0 40.8 51.1 66.2

Europe 281 444 528 545 557 51.2 65.7 72.2 76.2 83.8

LatinAmericaandtheCarribean 69 198 448 575 683 41.4 61.1 78.3 83.5 88.7

NorthAmerica 110 180 275 365 402 63.9 73.8 81.3 85.7 90.2

Oceania 8 13 24 27 31 62.0 71.5 70.5 71.9 76.4

Fac

ts and

Figure

sFig

ure 3: Exa

mp

les o

f ma

jor c

ity disa

sters p

er ha

zard

type

My

Cit

y is

Ge

tt

ing

Re

ad

y

Sources: Centre for Research on Epidemiology of D

isasters (CRED) (2009); U

S Departm

ent of the Interior, USG

S Fact Sheet FS 103 01. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0103-01/fs-0103-01.pdfN

ote: These figures often encompass urban areas outside the actual city boundaries up to entire regions.

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Projected losses from earthquakes in megacities...

Istanbul: A large earthquake in Istanbul is would be expected to kill 40,000 persons, injure 200,000 and leave a staggering 400,000 households in need of shelter. About 40,000 buildings would be uninhabitable or suffer total collapse through “pancake type failure”. Another 300,000 more would have moderate to severe damages. The direct monetary losses due to building damage alone would add up to US$ 11 billion.

Tehran:The North Tehran and Mosha faults situated towards the northern side of Greater Tehran and the Ray Fault on the southern limits of the city have the potential to generate Mw= 7.2 and 6.7 respectively. This, according to the earthquake scenarios developed under the JICA-CEST, 1999-2000, could produce a death toll of 120,000 to 380,000 if either of the two faults were to move, because of the vulnerability of existing structures.

Mumbai: Several studies suggest that one of the most vulnerable elements exposed in Mumbai is its building stock, which certainly contributes to the increasing risk of its population. The Mumbai region is entirely urban and the building stock exhibits a rich mix of several different technologies. A moderately low earthquake intensity level of VII (MSK scale) in the city could produce a death toll of 34,000 if it was to happen early in the morning. The flood risk is high.

Kathmandu City: A large influx of migrants has increased pressure on the local authorities to provide housing and basic services. The old part of town is particularly vulnerable due to: a) poor living conditions in high density neighbourhoods, b) poor capacity of the buildings to withstand seismic forces, c) narrow roadways that limit access in an emergency response, and d) limited water provision along with intricate electrical installations where fires can easily take hold9.

In small urban centres

ManypeopleinAfrica,AsiaandLatinAmericaliveintensofthousandsofsmallurbancentresandinhundredsofthousandsoflargevillagesthathaveseveralthousandinhabitantsandthatmightalsobeconsideredassmallurbancentres.Theextenttowhichtheirpopulationsfacedisasterneedsconsideration–especiallygiventheover-concentrationintheliteratureonlargecitiesormega-cities.Farmorepeopleliveinsmallurbancentresinlow-andmiddle-incomenationsthaninmega-cities.

SomeofTurkey’sbiggestbuildershavereadilyadmittedtousingshoddymaterialsandbadpracticesintheurbanconstructionboom.Inaninterviewin2009withtheTurkishpublicationReferans,abillionaireTurkishdeveloperdescribedhowinthe1970s,saltyseasandandscrapironwereroutinelyusedinbuildingsmadeofreinforcedconcrete.‘‘Atthattime,thiswasthebestmaterial,’’hesaid,accordingtoatranslationoftheinterview.‘‘Notjustus,butallcompaniesweredoingthesamething.IfanearthquakeoccursinIstanbul,noteventhearmywillbeabletogetin.’’

Source: In megacities, ‘rubble in waiting’; Millions are put at risk by flimsy housing built in populous quake zones, by Andrew C Revkin, International Herald Tribune, 26 February 2010.

Notonlyarecitieshometooverthreebillionpeople,but

theyaretheeconomicenginesofour

societiesandaccountformostnations’

wealth.Infact,mostoftheglobalGDP

ofUS$39.4trillion(2007figure,in

constant2000US$)isgeneratedinurban

environments.10

9 EarthquakesandMegacitiesInitiative(2010),MegacitiesDisasterRiskManagementKnowledgeBase(MDRM-KB),http://www.pdc.org/emi/emihome.html.

10 DevelopmentDataPlatform(DDP)(2008),Populationdata:UNPopulationDivision,DevelopmentDataGroupWorldPopulationProspects,2006.

Revision,WorldBank,WashingtonD.C.

Facts and Figures photovillephotopetiteville

Eight of the ten most populous cities in the

world are threatened by earthquakes, and six

out of ten are vulnerable to storm surge and

tsunami waves2.

cuotebidonville

Each year 25 million more people are living in slums and informal settlements which are often built on unsafe land, unstable slopes and flood plains.UNHABITAT, 2010 State of the World’s Cities report.

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Slums in Colombia

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What is a city?To an economist, a city is an engine for economic growth, a haphazard arrangement of physical assets and potential rewards. To a politician or a planner, a city is a place of connections: a network of roads, electrical cables, piped water and drains. To the urban workforce, and the migrants attracted to the city, it offers shelter, safety and a source of livelihood. To property owners, developers and planners, a city is its housing, its stock of physical assets. To someone who lives in a city – and that includes all of the above and many more - a city is a physical and cultural arena, a place of political freedom, a source of cultural and intellectual vitality. And all of this is at risk from a storm surge, a cyclone, a catastrophic volcanic eruption, or a set of powerful earthquake waves racing through the bedrock at 7,000 kilometres an hour.

Resilience means theabilityofasystem,communityorsocietyexposedtohazardstoresist,absorb,accommodatetoandrecoverfromtheeffectsofahazardinatimelyandefficientmanner,includingthroughthepreservationandrestorationofitsessentialbasicstructuresandfunctions11.

Sustainable urbanizationisunderstoodasaprocesswhichpromotesanintegrated,gender-sensitiveandpro-poorapproachtothesocial,economicandenvironmentalpillarsofsustainability.Itisbasedonparticipatoryplanninganddecisionmakingprocesses,andinclusivegovernance.Morespecifically,theprinciplesofsustainableurbanizationinvolve12:

(i) Accessibleandpro-poorland,infrastructure,services,

mobilityandhousing;

(ii) Sociallyinclusive,gendersensitive,healthyandsafe

development;

(iii) Environmentallysoundandcarbon-efficientbuilt

environment;

(iv) Participatoryplanninganddecisionmakingprocesses;

(v) Vibrantandcompetitivelocaleconomiespromoting

decentworkandlivelihoods;

(vi) Assuranceofnon-discriminationandequitablerights

tothecity;and

(vii) Empoweringcitiesandcommunitiestoplanfor

andeffectivelymanageadversityandchange-tobuild

resilience.(UN-HABITATWorldUrbanCampaign,2009)

ThesecondsessionoftheGlobalPlatformfor

DisasterRiskReductioninJune2009highlighted

targetsfortheimplementationoftheHyogo

FrameworkforAction.By2011national

assessmentsofthesafetyofexistingeducation

andhealthfacilitiesshouldbeundertaken,andby

2015concreteactionplansforsaferschoolsand

hospitalsshouldbedevelopedandimplemented

inalldisaster-pronecountries.By2015,allmajor

citiesindisaster-proneareasshouldincludeand

enforcedisasterriskreductionmeasuresintheir

buildingandlandusecodes.Targetswerealso

proposedfornationalriskassessments,municipal

disasterrecoveryplans,earlywarningsystems,

waterrisks,andtheenforcementofbuilding

codes.

Thereareanumberofactionsthatlocalgovernments,citizensandtheprivatesectorcanundertaketomakeacitymoreresilient.Naturalhazardswillalwaysoccurindifferentmagnitudeandseverity,buttheydonotneedtoturnintodevastation.Isyourcityready?

A disaster resilient city: yy Isonewherepeopleparticipate,decideandplantheircitytogetherwiththelocal

governmentauthorities,basedontheircapacitiesandresources

yy Hasacompetentandaccountablelocalgovernmentthatcatersforsustainableurbanizationwithparticipationfromallgroups

yy Isonewheremanydisastersareavoidedbecausethewholepopulationlivesinhomesandneighborhoodsservedbygoodinfrastructure(pipedwater,goodsanitationanddrainage,all-weatherroads,electricity)andservices(healthcare,schools,garbagecollection,emergencyservices),instructuresthatmeetsensiblebuildingcodes,withouttheneedforinformalsettlementsonfloodplainsorsteepslopesbecausenootherlandisavailable 

yy Understandsitsdangers,anddevelopsastrong,localinformationbaseonhazardsandrisks,onwhoisexposedandwhoisvulnerable

yy Hastakenstepstoanticipatedisasterandprotectassets–people,theirhomesandpossessions,culturalheritage,economiccapital–andisabletominimizephysicalandsociallossesarisingfromextremeweatherevents,earthquakesorotherhazards

yy Hascommittedthenecessaryresourcesandiscapableoforganizingitselfbefore,duringandafteranaturalhazardevent

yy Isabletoquicklyrestorebasicservicesaswellasresumesocial,institutionalandeconomicactivityaftersuchanevent 

yy Understandsthatmostoftheaboveisalsocentraltobuildingresiliencetoclimatechange.

One important factor for successful urban disaster risk reduction is the relationship between the city government and those within its jurisdiction who are most at risk

Thecostofadisaster-safehospitalorhealth

facilityisnegligiblewhenincludedinearlydesignconsiderations.

Forthevastmajorityofnewhealth

facilities,incorporatingcomprehensive

disasterprotectionfromearthquakeand

weathereventsintodesignsfromthe

beginningwilladdonly4%tothetotal

cost13

11 UnitedNationsInternationalStrategyforDisasterReduction(UNISDR)(2009),UNISDRTerminologyonDisasterRiskReduction,UNISDR,Geneva.

12 UN-HABITAT(2009)WorldUrbanCampaign

13 WHO,PAHO,UNISDR(2008),2008-2009WorldDisasterReductionCampaign‘HospitalsSafefromDisasters’.www.safehospitals.info.

Some definitions

What is a Disaster Resilient City?

Haiti,Earthquake2010

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Urban risk reduction as an opportunity – what are the benefits?

Citiesthatproactivelyseektoreducedisasterrisk,aspartoftheirsustainableurbanizationefforts,canbenefitgreatlyinthefollowingways:savedlivesandpropertyincaseofdisasterwithdramaticreductioninfatalitiesandseriousinjuries

yy Protecteddevelopmentgainsandlessdiversionofcityresourcestodisasterresponseandrecovery

yy Activecitizenparticipationandlocaldemocracy

yy Increasedinvestmentinhouses,buildingsandotherproperties,inanticipationoffewerdisasterlosses

yy Increasedcapitalinvestmentsininfrastructure,includingretrofitting,renovationandrenewal

yy Businessopportunities,economicgrowthandemploymentassafer,better-governedcitiesattractmoreinvestment

yy Balancedecosystems,whichfosterprovisioningandculturalecosystemservicessuchasfreshwaterandrecreation

yy Overallbetterhealthandwellbeing

yy Improvededucationinsaferschools.

The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters

TheHyogoFrameworkforActionwasadoptedby168MemberStatesinJapanin2005tobuildtheresilienceofnationsandcommunitiesbytheyear2015.Thefiveprioritiesareequallyimportantforurbansettings:

Make disaster risk reduction a priority in urban practices

Know urban risks and take actions

Build understanding and awareness of urban risks

Reduce urban risks

Prepare your city and be ready to act

www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/

TEN-POINT CHECKLIST – ESSENTIALS FOR MAKING CITIES RESILIENTThecampaignproposesachecklistofTen Essentials for Making Cities Resilientthatcanbeimplementedbymayorsandlocalgovernments.ThechecklistderivesfromthefiveprioritiesoftheHyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters,akeyinstrumentforimplementingdisasterriskreduction.Achievingall,orevensome,ofthesetenessentialswillhelpcitiestobecomemoreresilient.HaveyourCityCouncilandlocalgovernmentsignuptothis!

Putinplaceorganizationandcoordinationtounderstandandreducedisasterrisk,basedonparticipationofcitizengroupsandcivilsociety.Buildlocalalliances.Ensurethatalldepartmentsunderstandtheirroleindisasterriskreductionandpreparedness. Assignabudgetfordisasterriskreductionandprovideincentivesforhomeowners,low-incomefamilies,communities,businessesandthepublicsectortoinvestinreducingtheriskstheyface.Maintainup-to-datedataonhazardsandvulnerabilities,prepareriskassessmentsandusetheseasthebasisforurbandevelopmentplansanddecisions.Ensurethatthisinformationandtheplansforyourcity’sresiliencearereadilyavailabletothepublicandfullydiscussedwiththem.Investinandmaintaincriticalinfrastructurethatreducesrisk,suchasflooddrainage,adjustedwhereneededtocopewithclimatechange.Assessthesafetyofallschoolsandhealthfacilitiesandupgradethemasnecessary.Applyandenforcerealistic,risk-compliantbuildingregulationsandland-useplanningprinciples.Identifysafelandforlow-incomecitizensanddevelopupgradingofinformalsettlements,whereverfeasible. Ensurethateducationprogrammesandtrainingondisasterriskreductionareinplaceinschoolsandlocalcommunities. Protectecosystemsandnaturalbufferstomitigatefloods,stormsurgesandotherhazardstowhichyourcitymaybevulnerable.Adapttoclimatechangebybuildingongoodriskreductionpractices. Installearlywarningsystemsandemergencymanagementcapacitiesinyourcityandholdregularpublicpreparednessdrills. Afteranydisaster,ensurethattheneedsofthesurvivorsareplacedatthecentreofreconstructionwithsupportforthemandtheircommunityorganizationstodesignandhelpimplementresponses,includingrebuildinghomesandlivelihoods. Sign up

today to make

your city resilient to disasters

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Thevisionofthecampaignistoachieveresilient,sustainableurbancommunities.

Thecampaignwillurgelocalgovernmentstotakeactionnowtoreducecities’riskstodisasters.

TheobjectivesoftheMaking Cities ResilientCampaignarethreefold,andcanbeachievedthroughbuildinglong-lastingpartnerships:

Know moreRaisetheawarenessofcitizensandgovernmentsatalllevelsofthebenefitsofreducingurbanrisks

Invest wisely Identifybudgetallocationswithinlocalgovernmentfundingplanstoinvestindisasterriskreductionactivities

Build more safelyIncludedisasterriskreductioninparticipatoryurbandevelopmentplanningprocessesandprotectcriticalinfrastructure

“My City is getting ready”isarallyingcallforallmayorsandlocalgovernmentstomakeasmanycitiesaspossibleasresilientaspossible.Itisalsoacallforlocalcommunitygroups,citizens,planners,academiaandtheprivatesectortojointheseefforts.

Whilethecampaignaddressescitizens–thosewholiveinurbanareasandwhoelectthedecisionmakerswhocantakethenecessarystepstomaketheircitiessafer–thecampaign’sprincipaltargetgroupsaremayorsandlocalgovernmentsofcitiesofdifferentsizes,characteristics,locationsandriskprofiles.Mayorsandlocalgovernmentsaretheagencieswhocantakeactionandmakeourcitiessafer.Mobilizingtheseimportantactorsinthedisasterriskreductionprocessisessentialtomakingcitiesresilient.

Thecampaignsloganhasmeaningforeveryone.Whateverthecity,themessagetoreduceriskwillresonatewithallcitizensworldwide.Forexample,SaoPauloisGettingReady!KobeisGettingReady!IstanbulisGettingReady!SantaTeclaisgettingready!

The Making Cities Resilient Campaign

Inthiscampaign,theterm‘city’

referstourbanareasingeneral,

encompassingtheresponsibilityof

‘localgovernments’ofdifferent

scales,whetherregional,provincial,

metropolitan,townshipsor

villages.

Theaimistoget100mayorstocommittoatleastoneofthe

TenEssentialsforMakingCities

Resilientby2011;andtoinvolve

hundredsofparticipatinglocalgovernmentsand

asmanycitizensaspossibletopledgetojointhehospital

andschoolsafetyinitiative.

Main objectives of the campaign

Sign up to the One Million Safe Schools and Hospitals InitiativePeopleinunsafeschools,hospitalsandhealthfacilitiesareatthegreatestriskwhenadisasterstrikes.Wecanimprovethesafetyofschools,hospitalsandhealthfacilitiestoaddresstheincreasingriskduetoclimatechangeandotherdisasters-naturalandman-made.The OneMillion Safe Schools andHospitals Initiativeofthecampaign encourageseveryonetomakeapledgeforaschoolorhospitalandtomakethemsafernow.Anyonecanmakeapledge.Everyonecancontribute.Beanadvocate,aleaderorachampionforsafeschoolsandhospitals.http://www.safe-schools-hospitals.net

Sign up today to make

your city resilient to disasters

“ In recent years, cities around the

world are being faced with threats such

as large-scale disasters and diseases

including influenza, and we are

constantly living side-by-side with the

risk of various perils. In the midst of such

circumstances, I believe that cities must

not only dedicate themselves to their

own crisis management endeavors,

but also enhance collaboration with

neighboring cities, countries and

regions to create a system in which

they can help each other in times of

need. Utilizing its broad network,

CITYNET is already promoting city-

to-city cooperation on the theme

of “Disaster Prevention”. Let us work

together to further deepen our city-to-

city partnerships and aim for a “World

Resilient to Disasters”.

Fumiko Hayashi

President of CITYNET / Mayor of

Yokohama

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

ThesecretariatoftheUnitedNationsInternationalStrategyforDisasterReduction(UNISDR)isthecoordinatoroftheMakingCitiesResilientCampaign2010-2011,butitslocal,regionalandinternationalpartnersandparticipatingcitiesandlocalgovernmentsarethedriversandownersofthecampaign.Anumberofcommittedmayors,otherhigh-levelpublicfiguresand“role-model”localgovernmentswillbeidentifiedandhelpUNISDRanditspartnerstopromoteandimplementthecampaign.

CentraltoISDR’spartneringinitiativeforthecampaignisthespreadoflocalgovernmentalliancesfordisasterriskreduction.Activemembersofthisglobalalliancewillbecomecampaignpromotersintheirareasofinfluence.Theywilldrawupononeanother’sexpertiseaswellasprovidesupportandgivesubstancetotheadvocacy,politicalandtechnicaldimensionsofthecampaign.

Jointheallianceasasupporterbysendingyourinformationto:isdr-campaign@un.orgorsignuponthewebsiteunderwww.unisdr.org/campaign.

UN-HABITATisakeypartnerinthecampaignalongwithmanyotherUNorganizations,cityassociationsandorganizations,especiallytheUnitedCitiesforLocalGovernments,ICLEIandtheCityAlliance.NGOnetworksandgrassrootsorganizationsthatparticipateintheISDRsystemhavealreadysignedup.ResilientCitiesplatformsortaskforceswillsupportthecampaignintheregions.

Furthermore,theMakingCitiesResilientCampaign2010-2011islinkedtoUN-HABITAT’sWorldUrbanCampaignon“SustainableUrbanization”.Bothcampaignsadheretothesameprinciples,contributingtowardsthesamelong-termgoalofsustainabledevelopment.Manyofthecommunicationtoolsandparticipatingcitieswillbethesame.TheMaking Cities Resilient Campaign objectiveistoensurethattheimportantprinciplesoftheHyogo Framework for Actionareintegratedintothelocalenvironment.Thenextstepistoturnwordsintoaction.

TheAsiaRegionalTaskForceonUrbanRiskReductionhasdevelopedaguidelinetoimplementtheHyogoFrameworklocally,toassistlocalgovernmentstobecomeresilient.Itisalreadyusedbythetaskforcemembersincapacitybuildingeffortswithcityofficials.Anotherplanningtooltosupportriskreductionwillbedevelopedbythepartnersinthecampaign,ledbyUN-HABITATandUNISDR.Capacitybuildingandtrainingopportunitieswillbeprovidedbytheparticipatingpartnersandcities-andbedevelopedfurtherduringthecampaign.

Manyotherglobalandregionalinitiativeswillbehighlightedduringthetwoyearcampaignandmanyprovenpracticesofurbanriskpolicieswillbeavailableonline.

To learn more about campaign activities and partners, visit the website at www.unisdr.org/campaign

Mayorsandlocalgovernmentsholdkeypositionsinbuildingresiliencetodisasterswithintheircommunities.Mayorsprovideleadershipforthewell-beingoftheirconstituencies.Localgovernmentsdeliveressentialservicessuchashealth,education,transportandwater.Theyissueconstructionpermits,managepublicworksandplanandcontrolurbandevelopment,allofwhichprovideopportunitiestoensuresaferdevelopmentthatcanreduceacommunity’svulnerabilitytodisasters.

Localgovernmentsdeviseandcreatedevelopmentsthataffectmillionsofpeopleincitieseverywhere.Thecampaigncallsonmayorsandlocalgovernmentstoworkwiththeirconstituencies,andincluderisk-reducinginitiativesintheirstrategicplanningprocesses,asawaytogetreadyforfuturenaturalhazardswithconfidenceandresilience.

Mayorsandlocalgovernmentscanplayaroleinhelpingcitiestogetreadytomeetfuturerisks.Nationalgovernments,localcommunityandprofessionalassociations,international,regionalandcivilsocietyorganizations,donors,theprivatesector,academiaandallcitizensmustalsobeengaged.Allofthesestakeholdersneedtoplaytheirrespectiverolesinbuildingdisasterresilientcities,andlocalgovernmentiscriticalinordertoachievesuccess.

“Disaster preparedness and risk mitigation are key priorities in guiding good city planning, design, development, and daily administration. Our cities need commitment and support from the national government through policy that empowers us to undertake the necessary and decisive actions to prevent and reduce human and other losses. With such decentralization allowing for better integrated urban development, not only can we create sustainable cities, regions and countries, but also resilient people.” Dr. Fauzi Bowo, Governor, Jakarta, Indonesia

“It is sad that yet another city is in a serious disaster with thousands of lives lost in Haiti. It convinces me that this campaign is more urgent than ever before. I put myself in the shoes of the local government leaders and it cannot be anything easy…. All this calls for a real campaign for safer cities and building resilience.”District Chairman Rev. Sam Ebukele L’Kwisk (Uganda)

Mayors and local governments can reduce risk in the following ways:

yy SignuptoandworktowardstheTenEssentialschecklist,makeapublicannouncementandshareyourexperience,goodpracticeandprogresswithparticipantsinthecampaignandothercities

yy Workcloselywithyourcentralgovernmenttoimplementnationallyplannedapproachestourbanplanning,localdevelopmentanddisasterriskreduction

yy Createlocalpartnershipsandallianceswithyourcitizensandcommunitygroups

yy Engageyourlocalandnationaluniversitiestoprovideadviceonhazardmonitoringandriskassessmentandconductresearchonwaysforyourcitytobuildresilience

yy Focusonyourpoorandhigh-riskcommunitiesandtakethecampaigngoalsandmessagestograssrootcommunities

yy Organizepublichearings,discussions,drillsandotherawarenessraisingactivitiesduringtheInternationalDayforDisasterReductionorontheanniversariesofpastdisasters.

yy UsethecampaignandTenEssentialsforMakingCitiesResilienttoaddressclimatechangechallengesandyour“greenagenda”.

About the campaign partners Mayors and local governments – the keys to building resilient cities

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Local government associations

yy Putdisasterriskreductionatthetopofyouragenda

yy PartnerwithUNISDRtoreachouttolocalauthorities

yy Supportimplementationofthecampaignatthelocalgovernmentandcommunitylevels.

National governments

yy Setupandfostermulti-stakeholdernationalplatformsfordisasterriskreductionthatincludelocalgovernmentsortheirassociations

yy Giveconsiderationtolocalgovernanceandsustainableurbanizationissues

yy Ensurethatyourministriesandinstitutionstakeriskreductionintoaccountintheirplanningandpolicymaking

yy Encourageeconomicdevelopmentinruralareasandsmallercitiesinordertoreducethepressureofacceleratedmigrationtohigh-riskperipheralareasandslums

yy Makedisasterriskreductionanationalandlocalpriorityandclearlyidentifyinstitutionalresponsibilitiesforreducingriskatalllevels.

Community associations

yy Signuptothecampaignandencourageyourorganizationtoparticipateinit

yy Promoteactiveengagementofcommunitymembersinthecampaign,

usingthecampaign’spromotionalandinformationalresources

yy Buildpartnershipinprojectswithlocalgovernment,NGOs,theprivatesectoretc.tomakeyourlocalareasafer

yy Sharelocalknowledgeandexperiencewithotheractors;supportactivitiessuchasplanning,riskassessmentsandmapping,maintenanceofcriticalinfrastructure,saferlanduseandenforcementofbuildingstandards

yy Collaborateinmeasuringprogressthroughparticipativemonitoring.

UN, international or regional organizations, NGOs

yy Signupasacampaignpartnerandcommittosupportlocalgovernmentstobuildresiliencetodisasters

yy StrivetodevelopbettertoolsandmethodologiesforurbanriskreductioninanyoftheTen Essentials for Making Cities Resilientareas

yy Advocateforincreasedurbanriskreductionatthelocallevel

yy Encouragegreaterinvolvementoflocalactorsinregionalandinternationalpolicydevelopment

yy StrengthenthelinksbetweenNGOs,localgovernmentsandcommunity-basedorganizations.

Donors

yy Ensurethatdisasterriskreductionispartofyourprogrammeplanningandbudgetallocations;andincludethisforsustainableurbanization,climateadaptation,development,humanitarian,disasterresponseandreconstructionprogrammes

yy Fundprojectsthatfocusonmakingcitiesresilienttodisasters.

Private sector

yy Makesureyourbusinessisnotincreasingdisasterriskordegradingtheenvironment

yy Partnerinprojectswithyourlocalgovernmentorcommunitieswhereyouconductyourenterprisetomakeyourcitysafer–onlyaresilientcitycansupportsustainableeconomicgrowth

yy Commitresourcestoresearchanddevelopmentprojectsonurbanriskreduction.

Academia

yy Adaptthescienceagendatoemphasizethisparamountresearchtopicandadvancethestate-of-theartinurbanriskreduction

yy Introduceurbanriskprofilingandriskreductionprocessesaspartofthecoursesandresearchinseveraldisciplines,includingurbanplanning

yy Collaboratewithregionalandlocalgovernmentsinappliedresearchprojectsonriskassessmentsandriskreduction;testandapplyyourmethods,modelsandfindingsinlocalgovernmentenvironments

yy Gopublicwithyourknowledgeandmakeyourexpertiseavailabletolocalgovernmentsandthepublicatlarge.

What can you do to make your city more resilient? Join the campaign!

Sign up today to make

your city resilient to disasters

M y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d yM y C i t y i s G e t t i n g R e a d y

Thecampagnwantstohighlightthegoodpracticeandsuccessesthatcitieshaveexperiencedinthecourseoftheirindividualriskreductionefforts.Leadingbyexampleisoftenthemostcompellingwaytoengageothers.Showingwhatispossibleandmakingclearthebenefitsthatcanbehadfrommakingacityresilienttourbanrisksiswhatthecampaignisallabout.

PerhapsyourcitywouldbeanidealRole Model CityintheMaking Cities ResilientCampaign.WewanttoshowcaseexemplaryResilient City Role Modelsthathavedemonstratedleadershipin,andcommitmenttoreducingurbanrisks.Role Model Citieswillbeaskedtocommitsometimetosupportthecampaignintwomeaningfulways:

1. Raiseawarenessandadvocateforlocalgovernmentneedsatthehighestlevels

2. Promoteandsupportimplementationofdisasterriskreductioninyourcountry

Become a Resilient Cities Champion!

yy Areyouamayororlocalgovernmentleader?AsaChampionandgoodwillambassadorforresilientcitieseverywhere,nominateacommunityleader,mayor,governororotherinfluentialfigureinyourcommunitywhoiswillingtosupportUNISDRandourpartnersduringthecampaigntoencourage,helpandsupportothers.

Become a Role Model City!

yy Hasyourlocalgovernmentalreadymadegoodprogresstowardsresilience?IsyourcityorlocalgovernmentwillingtoshowcaseitsgoodpracticeinbuildingresilienceandsafetyinatleastfiveoutoftheTen Essentials for Making Cities Resilient?Isyourlocalgovernmentwillingtoprovideopportunitiestootherlocalgovernmentstolearnfromyour

experiences?BecomeaRole Model Cityandshareyoursuccesswiththeworld. RoleModelswillbefeaturedprominentlythroughoutthecampaign.

Become a Resilient Cities Participant!

yy Ifyouarealocalgovernmentthatisintheearlystagesofriskreductionplanningandmanagement,makeapledgetoimproveresilienceandsafetytodisastersandletthecampaignknowaboutit.

yy Ifyouareacommunitygroup,NGOorotheractivememberofyourcitywhowantstocommittoandsupportthecampaigngoalsandworkwithyourlocalgovernmenttoincreasethedisasterresilience.

The nomination process

TobecomeaResilientCitiesChampion,aResilientCitiesRoleModeloraResilientCitiesParticipantyouhavetostartwiththenominationprocess.Youwillfindnominationformsandalloftheinformationyouneedonthewebsite(www.unisdr.org/campaign).

To nominate a Resilient City Role Model – cities and local governments

SendyournominationproposaltoUNISDR,explainingwhythenominatedcitycanserveasarolemodeldemonstratinggoodpracticeinbuildingresilience.Ifaccepted,UNISDRwillinvitethenominatedcitytobeofficiallydesignatedasaResilientCitiesRoleModelinthecampaign.UNISDRwillthenworkwiththecitytoidentifyopportunitiesforRoleModelactivitiesaswellaspublishtheresultsofthecooperationandgoodpracticesforthedurationofthecampaign.Forfurtherdetails,contactisdr-campaign@un.orgformoreinformation.

To nominate a Resilient Cities Participant – cities and local governments

CitiesandlocalgovernmentsthatareinterestedinparticipatinginthecampaignbutthatmightnotwishtobecomeaResilientCitiesRoleModelcaninsteadpledgetheircommitmenttoimproveinanyoftheTenEssentialsforMakingCitiesResilient.Aletterfromthemayor’sofficetoUNISDRwillconfirmthispledgeandUNISDRwilllistthecityasaResilientCitiesParticipantinthecampaign.UNISDRwillregularlyupdateallparticipatingcitiesoncampaignandpartneractivities.Furtherinformationisavailableatwww.unisdr.org/campaign.

To nominate a Resilient Cities Champion and goodwill ambassador - cities and local governments

yy Campaignpartners,nationalplatformsandcitycouncilscannominateapersontobecomeaResilient Cities Championandgoodwillambassadorduringthe2010-2011Campaignintheirpersonalcapacity.Thisisanon-remunerateddesignation,whichrequiresthenomineetoprovideleadershipandvisibility.

WHY SHOULD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT SIGN UP TO THE CAMPAIGN - SOME BENEFITS

yy Savelivesandlivelihoodsthroughproperplanningandpreparedness

yy Worktowardssustainableurbanization

yy Helpprotectnaturalresources,yoururbanheritageandeconomicactivity

yy Provideexpertise,participateinorhostcity-to-city-learningeventsonhowtoreducedisasterriskinspecificareas,puttingyourcity“onthemap”

yy Bepartofhighvisibilityeventstodiscusscriticalissueswithnationalandglobalcounterparts,suchaslinkingdisasterriskreductiontoclimatechangeadaptation,MillenniumDevelopmentGoals,safeschoolsandhospitalsandfinancingissues

yy BeeligibletoreceivetheUNSasakawaAwardforDisasterReduction2010-2011,whichrecognizesexamplesoflocalgovernments’goodpracticeandinnovation.Theawardrecipientwillbelinkedtohigh-profilemediaevents

yy Haveyourgoodpracticeincludedanddisseminatedinpublications,onthewebsiteandintheprintandbroadcastmedia

yy Showleadershipbyworkingtowardsamoreresilientcity/townshipandinitiatetheall-importantfirststeps

yy Gainaccesstoexpertise,partners,learningopportunitiesandconsiderthepossibilityof“twinning”withanotherRoleModelcity

yy Gainincreasedvisibilityandprestigeforpoliticalleadershipandinnovation

How to nominate a city for the campaign

ContactsFor more informationwww.unisdr.org/campaignwww.preventionweb.netEmail:isdr-campaign@un.org

CampaignnetworkandGlobalAllianceworkspace:http://groups.preventionweb.net/scripts/wa-